About Bistro Vida

Established in 1998, Bistro Vida is a neighborhood restaurant inspired by the great Parisian bistro culture and traditions of French cooking. Our mission is to bring the joie de vivre, comfort, and community of the City of Lights to downtown Menlo Park. The name "Vida" the Spanish word for life, was chosen as a toast to the enjoyment of life, love, and food. Each delicious detail of the chic interior from the smart bar to the blackboard menus, the huge cylindrical chandeliers to the long mirrors reminiscent of Left Bank brasseries has acquired a warm patina over the years, evoking restaurant’s inviting personality and sensually infectious, yet unpretentious style. Our market-driven bistro menu is influenced by a variety of French and Mediterranean flavors and celebrates local, seasonal ingredients. We offer simple, traditional French bistro classics, a carefully curated wine selection, and a full bar featuring hand-crafted signature cocktails.

Catering:From a small gather to a large corporate lunch or celebration, we have a variety of menu options for your catered event.

Parking Details:Street parking all around and public lot directly to the rear of the restaurant.

Executive Chef:Ali El Safy

Private Party Facilities:We have several options for large groups, special occasions, corporate events, and more. Please contact the restaurant to inquire about holding an event at Bistro Vida. We will work with you to create a personalized event including a uniquely crafted menu and a signature wine experience.

RESTAURANT BUYOUT​We offer availability for large parties in the form of a full restaurant buyout. Our dining room accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and up to 150 guests for a standing reception. ​PATIO​Our private heated patio can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated event and up to 60 guests for a standing reception.

We all had different but equally tasty salads, excellent main courses: strip steak, steak frites and coq au vin. Helpful but not overbearing service. We sat outside which was pleasant and made it easy to conduct our business meeting.

Tags: Good for Groups, Great for Outdoor Dining, Casual, Neighborhood Gem, Business Meals

I've been the Bistro Vida a number of times before and that's why I chose it for a reunion lunch with two friends. The service was great but the food for two of us was disappointing. Two of us had the quiche and the quiche was very shallow and not much flavor other than bacon and the salad was very small and short on dressing. I've had much better quiche elsewhere. We had creme brulee for dessert and the texture was not very pleasing. I don't know how soon I'll return.

Bistro Vida is a good choice for delicious food and very good service. My wife and I enjoyed the beef bourgeon with a glass of champagne. Prices are a bit high, but within reason for downtown Menlo Park.

This was our second time at the restaurant and it was not as busy as the first visit so the noise level was more tolerable. Both dishes were okay, nothing great and the minimal staff was stretched thin trying to take care of all the tables. Will not return.

This is a cute place and our hopes were up, but for a French bistro the food was sub-par, the service almost non-existent, and there was a loud "girl's night out" crew in the back of the restaurant that reverberated loud laughter all through the restaurant. Made it hard for any of the other patrons to even have nice conversation. Maybe this was a bad night, but this place seems like it is loud by design (or lack of design).

I ordered the Salad Nicoise which was topped with a thin grey piece of tuna that was not fresh. The majority of the salad was comprised of chopped cucumber. My husband enjoyed his chicken sandwich which he considered it a 'safe' choice, but it was followed by a weak tasteless cup of coffee. Our guest ordered the quiche and barely touched it. The restaurant smells heavily of cleaning products. The ladies room was dark and smelled like mildew. Not a pleasant dining experience.

It was a business dinner for party of six on a weeknight. We were greeted warmly and led to a big nicely set table when arrived. The dinner went really well - delicious and beautifully plated food, attentive service by multiple staff. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the place so much that we stayed for more than three hours, and the staff didn’t try to get us out. Overall, everyone was extremely happy with the pick of the restaurant, and we will definitely come back!

The best food in all of Menlo Park. Full size portions of authentic French comfort food served to by the owner. He seems to have a personal knowledge of all his guests. Date night or everyday dining, nails it right every time. Love the outside dining on the new patio too.

This isn't my visit nor my last. The food is always terrific as is the service whether dining in or outside. I feel like I am back in Paris. I drive from across the Bay to eat here...and have shared this place with a lot friends who also return.

Ali was so prepared for our special date. He had the table ready with champagne, kept the wine glass full, and even brought out a perfect creme brûlée birthday dessert with song. It was our first visit to Bistro Vida, but we will have many more.

I reserved for Thanksgiving dinner for 4. Since I had 2 vegetarians in my party, I called several days ahead to see if there would be a vegetarian option on the menu. They graciously said they would either have a vegetarian option on the menu or they would be most happy to prepare a nice vegetarian meal for my guests. When we got there and my guests asked for a vegetarian meal, they were told no that that wasn't possible. I had to ask for the manager and he begrudgingly agreed to do a veggie pasta. It was pasta and a few veggies - no sauce, no taste. I was embarrassed and did not enjoy my Thanksgiving meal as a result. In fact, it was ruined for us all.

This is a nice restaurant. Went for an early Thanksgiving dinner. Couple of points: wine was opened and poured with no one getting to taste to make sure ok. Servers did not follow serving protocol, women first etc. Need a refresher coarse on service. Three had Thanksgiving dinner, which was pretty good but turkey was pretty dry. Other person had lamb chops and this dinner was great. Will definitely go back.

The owner went out of his way for us when we commented that the Ceasar Salad had no taste by making it for us himself. Service was right on, no waits. The owner also went out of his way for our two granddaughters' menu selection.

Tags: Romantic, Kid-friendly, Good for Groups, Good for a Date, Special Occasion, People Watching, Great for Outdoor Dining, Business Meals

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